Endurance

2 Chronicles 15: ⁸As soon as Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Azariah the son of Oded, he took courage and put away the detestable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities that he had taken in the hill country of Ephraim, and he repaired the altar of the LORD that was in front of the vestibule of the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 16:¹²In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but sought help from physicians.

Colossians 1:¹¹ May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, ¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. ¹³He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Asa heeded Azariah's prophecy and was encouraged. However, his obedience was powered by his own emotions. At first, he took action to follow God's ways, but then he turned to man for help. Asa somehow forgot to encourage himself. In the end, Asa did not even seek the Lord for healing. So how can a person keep themselves inspired to seek the Lord? It is such a difficult thing, practically impossible, on a person's own strength because man is but dust and driven by folly ingrained in his flesh. Jesus, however, made a way. Because of what Jesus has done, we have redemption. It is Jesus who set the example and broke the generations of sinful kings. He is the King of kings. Jesus has transferred us from darkness into the light. It is because of His strength and endurance on the cross that we can also be obedient until the end.

Am I like King Asa or am I following Jesus? I do not want to be an emotional Christian. I want to be steady and faithful until the end. When I feel like caving in, I need to look to Jesus for the strength to keep going. He is the only one who can keep me encouraged. I also need to consciously refresh myself in my faith. When I sense it becoming ritual instead of from the overflow of my heart, I really need to seek after the Lord. I don't want to be like King Asa and place my trust in men. I want to be like Jesus and place my trust in God.

Heavenly Father, please keep my eyes fixed upon Jesus. Lord, forgive me for being an emotional Christian; praising You only when I feel blessed and losing faith when times are tough. I want to be steady in my walk. I also pray that You help me to encourage myself so that my fire and zeal for You is always burning bright. Keep me inspired and show me how to inspire myself. I love You so much, God. You are amazing, awesome, and wonderful. I love being in a relationship with You. I need You more than air. I pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.